Applicator for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care, product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows

ABSTRACT

An applicator for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care, product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having an applicator member having: a core that extends along a longitudinal axis, and at least one bow of which the ends are attached to the core, the bow carrying application elements and extending in a twist around the longitudinal axis of the core, the distance between the bow and the longitudinal axis of the core, measured perpendicularly to the core, being variable along the core and passing through a maximum away from the ends for attaching the bow to the core.

The present invention relates to an applicator for applying a cosmetic,makeup or care, product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, for examplemascara.

The invention also relates to devices having a container which containsthe product to be applied and is provided with a wiping member, and theapplicator.

Applicators having arms that carry application elements and form one ormore openings between one another are known from the applications EP 1726 234 and EP 1 169 941.

The application US 2008/0245382 relates to an applicator having helicalarms that carry application elements, which alternate with helicalsections that carry bristles.

The applications FR 2 962 015 and FR 2 943 226 furthermore describeapplicators having a twisted core.

The application FR 2 936 691 describes an applicator having a twistedkernel that carries application elements which are present prior to thetwisting of the kernel.

The application FR 2 958 129 discloses an applicator having a drivesystem for bringing a core that carries moulded application elementsfrom a rest configuration, in which the core is not twisted, into aconfiguration in which it is twisted. This applicator is relativelycomplex to produce and it is fairly large on account of the presence ofthe drive system.

There is a need to further improve applicators for applying a product,in particular mascara, to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, in order toimprove the performance thereof, and more particularly to promote thecreation on the applicator member of zones that are more heavily ladenwith product, which allow easy application of makeup and rapid andabundant loading of the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, while allowingdifferent makeup effects.

There is also a need to circumvent current limitations in methods formanufacturing such applicators.

A subject of the invention, according to one of its aspects, is anapplicator for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care, product to theeyelashes and/or eyebrows, having an applicator member having:

-   -   a core that extends along a longitudinal axis, and    -   at least one bow of which the ends are attached to the core,        said bow carrying application elements and extending in a twist        around the longitudinal axis of the core,        the distance between the bow and the longitudinal axis of the        core, measured perpendicularly to the core, being variable along        the core and passing through a maximum away from the ends for        attaching the bow to the core.

By virtue of the twist and the variable spacing between the core and thebow, the invention makes it possible to obtain, on the applicatormember, between the core and the bow, at least one zone that forms areservoir and which acquires a surplus of product after wiping. Saidsurplus of product allows the eyelashes and/or eyebrows to be loadedwith a large and satisfactory amount of product from the firstapplication. Said eyelashes and/or eyebrows can then be easily separatedusing the application elements carried by the bow.

A further subject of the invention is a method for manufacturing anapplicator according to the invention. This method may comprise steps inwhich:

-   -   two portions connected by at least one bow that carries        application elements are moulded, and    -   a rotation is imposed on one of the portions with respect to the        other such that the bow extends in a twist around a longitudinal        axis of the applicator.

This manufacturing method makes it possible to alleviate the trickyproblem of demoulding twisted components. Specifically, the two portionsand the bow are first of all moulded without a twist and the twoportions are then rotated with respect to one another.

The bow can thus take up a rest configuration, in which it isrectilinear and not twisted, and a twisted configuration.Advantageously, the bow is initially contained in one and the samediametric plane as the axis of the two portions that it connectsfollowing moulding.

By virtue of the step of twisting following moulding, it is possible toproduce applicators having different configurations from one and thesame mould. The bows thus have a greater or lesser spacing from thecore, thereby making it possible to have applicators that afford more orless definition on application and different makeup effects.

The expression “distance between the bow and the longitudinal axis ofthe core” denotes the distance, measured along the longitudinal axis ofthe core and perpendicularly thereto, between the longitudinal axis ofthe core and that face of the bow that does not carry the applicationelements and faces the core.

The expression “longitudinal axis of the core” denotes the lineconnecting all of the centres of mass of the cross sections of the core.The longitudinal axis may be a central axis, or even an axis of symmetryfor the core, in particular when the core has a circular cross sectionor a cross section in the overall shape of a regular polygon. Thelongitudinal axis of the core may be rectilinear or curved and may becontained in a plane, which may be a plane of symmetry for some, or evenfor all of the cross sections of the core. Preferably, the longitudinalaxis of the core is rectilinear.

The expression “application element” denotes an individualizableprojecting element intended to come into engagement with the eyelashesand/or eyebrows.

Core and Bow

The twist in the bow results from an angular offset, about thelongitudinal axis of the core, between the ends for attaching the bow tothe core.

The angular offset can be between 30° and 360°, better still between 30°and 180°. The twist in the bow thus extends through less than onecomplete revolution around the longitudinal axis of the core.

In one variant, the angular offset, about the longitudinal axis of thecore, between the ends for attaching the bow to the core is greater thanor equal to 180°, better still greater than or equal to 360°.

The twist in the bow can run in the clockwise or anticlockwise directionfrom the proximal end to the distal end of the applicator member.

The direction of the twist can be such that the applicator isadvantageously inserted into a container, containing the product to beapplied, in the direction of the twist, thereby facilitating itsinsertion. By contrast, the applicator is advantageously removed fromthe container in the opposite direction to the direction of the twist,thereby allowing it to be more rigid with respect to the product andallowing more effective mixing of the latter before it is picked up.

The distance between the bow and the longitudinal axis of the core mayincrease, from the distal end for attaching the bow to the core, untilit reaches a maximum located approximately halfway between the ends forattaching the bow to the core, and then decrease again towards theproximal end for attaching the bow to the core.

In the twisted configuration, the greatest distance between the bow andthe longitudinal axis of the core may be between 1 mm and 5 mm, betterstill between 2 mm and 3 mm.

The length of the bow, in its rest configuration, is greater than thespacing along the longitudinal axis of the core between the ends forattaching the bow to the core, in the twisted configuration of theapplicator member. The bow has a length at rest that makes it possibleto obtain the desired angular offset for producing the twist and makesit possible to have the desired change in distance between the bow andthe core.

The ratio between the length of the bow and the spacing along thelongitudinal axis of the core between the ends for connecting the bow tothe core, in the twisted configuration of the applicator member, may bebetween 1.5 and 3, better still between 1.5 and 2.

The largest cross section of the bow is preferably smaller than thesmallest cross section of the core, and is in particular at least 2times smaller. The bow is thus more deformable than the core, which ismore rigid.

The largest cross section of the bow may be between 0.5 mm² and 1.5 mm²,better still between 0.8 mm² and 1.2 mm².

The largest cross section of the core may be between 2 mm² and 9 mm²,better still between 3 mm² and 6 mm².

The bow may have a cross section with a circular or non-circular, forexample polygonal, in particular hexagonal or rectangular, orelliptical, shape.

The core may have a cross section, taken perpendicularly to itslongitudinal axis, with a circular or non-circular, for examplepolygonal, in particular hexagonal or rectangular, or elliptical, shape,or in the shape of a cross with three, four or more arms. The core maybe hollow or solid.

The length of the core may be between 15 mm and 30 mm. The coreadvantageously carries a plurality of bows, in particular between twoand ten bows. This makes it possible to obtain a number of zones thatform reservoirs and/or a wide zone that forms a reservoir, acquiring asurplus of product following wiping of the applicator member.

In this case, the bows can be identical to one another through arotation of 360°/n around the longitudinal axis of the core, n being thenumber of bows.

The core may carry application elements that extend therefrom and aredisposed in particular in one or more longitudinal rows. The user canaccess the application elements of the core by virtue of the bending ofthe flexible bow(s) during application.

The application elements of the core may serve to load the eyelashesand/or eyebrows with product by virtue of the zone that forms areservoir, and the application elements of the bow(s) can make itpossible to separate the eyelashes and/or eyebrows by combing them.

The core is preferably a central core. When the core carries a pluralityof bows, the longitudinal axis of the core is advantageously locatedequidistantly from the bows along its entire length, all around itslongitudinal axis.

When the core carries a plurality of bows, at least two bows may eachhave proximal ends and distal ends for connecting to the core which areoffset axially along the longitudinal axis of the core.

The core may have two portions that are joined together by any means, inparticular by friction, snap-fastening, welding, adhesive bonding,stapling, stamping or insertion. One of the portions of the core mayhave an end piece that is not in the form of a cylinder of revolutionand is intended to be inserted into a complementary housing formed inthe other portion.

The ends of the bow(s) are connected respectively to these two portions.The two portions of the core are advantageously joined togetherfollowing rotation with respect to one another in order to create thetwist in the bow. The joining together of the two portions of the coremakes it possible to form a continuous core and keep the applicator inthe desired twisted state. In order to maintain this twisted state, thetwo portions of the core can be prevented from being released from oneanother by any means, for example by the use of portions that have crosssections which are not rotationally symmetrical, or by the use of atleast one portion that has ridges on its part intended to engage withthe other portion.

In one variant, the core has a metal insert, this insert being inparticular overmoulded, preferably along its entire length, with athermoplastic material in which at least a part of the core that carriesthe bow and/or the bow is produced. The metal insert may have a circularsection, being for example cylindrical, or a non-circular section, forexample a rectangular or U-shaped or L-shaped section. An insert with anon-circular section makes it possible to improve the anchoring of thematerial on the insert.

In a further variant, the core has two metal arms that are intended tobe twisted together and are able to grip bristles, in the same way asconventional mascara brushes referred to as twisted-core mascarabrushes. In this case, the two portions which are made of thermoplasticmaterial and to which the ends of the bow are attached areadvantageously gripped by said arms following twisting. The twisted armskeep said portions angularly offset with respect to one another so as tocreate twists in the bows. The two metal arms may be separate or formpart of a U-shaped pin. The two portions may have any shape that iscompatible with their being retained by the twisted arms.

The core, the bow(s) and the application elements of the core and/or ofthe bow(s) may be moulded from one and the same material, or in avariant be made from at least two different materials.

A part of the core, the bow(s) and the application elements of the coreand/or of the bow(s) may for example be made from a first material, andanother part of the core, the bow(s) and the application elements of thecore and/or of the bow(s) may be made from a second material which isfor example more flexible or harder than the first material.

The core and/or the bow(s) and/or the application elements of the coreand/or of the bow(s) may be made from a thermoplastic or thermosettingelastomeric material.

Application Elements

The height of the application elements of a bow may vary, for example ina monotonous manner, along the bow. For example, along the bow, theheight of the application elements may increase between the proximal endfor attaching the bow to the core and a first abscissa, then remainapproximately constant between this first abscissa and a second abscissabefore decreasing between this second abscissa and the distal end forattaching the bow to the core.

In one variant, the application elements of a bow are the same height.

The application elements of the bow may differ from one another by wayof at least one of their shape in cross section, thickness, maximumdistance from the longitudinal axis of the core, orientation, colourand/or material.

Some application elements of the bow, or even all the applicationelements, may have a thickness measured at their base, that is to say atthe point at which the application elements are attached to the bow, ofbetween 0.5 and 2 mm, or even between 0.9 and 1.2 mm. The expression“thickness of an application element” denotes the largest transversedimension of the application element, in section, perpendicularly to itselongation axis. It is a diameter when the application element has acylindrical or conical overall shape. The expression “elongation axis ofthe application element” denotes an axis which passes through thecentres of mass of the cross sections of the application element.

The application elements of the bow may be any shape. The applicationelements may have a cylindrical or tapered, in particular conical,frustoconical or pyramidal shape. At least one application element mayend with a rounded, in particular hemispherical, free end.

At least one application element may extend from the bow along anelongation axis perpendicular to the surface of the bow at the point atwhich the application element is attached to the bow. Preferably, all ofthe application elements extend from the bow along an elongation axisperpendicular to the surface of the bow at the point at which theapplication elements are attached to the bow.

The same goes for the application elements carried by the core, ifappropriate.

Each bow may have between 10 and 50 application elements, for examplebetween 15 and 25 application elements.

The core may have between 10 and 50 application elements, for examplebetween 15 and 30 application elements.

In the variant in which the core of the applicator member has atwisted-core brush, the application elements carried by the core arebristles held between the turns of the core.

The height of at least one application element of the bow, measured fromthe bow, may be between 1 mm and 3 mm.

The height of at least one application element of the core, measuredfrom the core, may be between 1 mm and 3 mm.

The expression “height of an application element” denotes the distancemeasured along the elongation axis of the application element betweenits free end and its base by way of which it is connected to the bow orto the core.

Applicator

The applicator may have a stem that carries the applicator member at afirst end and is fixed to a gripping member at a second end.

The core may be moulded with an end piece for fixing to the stem of theapplicator.

The applicator member may be fixed to the stem by snap-fastening,adhesive bonding, welding, crimping, pressing, stapling, force-fitting,fitting in a cold state or fitting in a hot state, for example by beingmounted in a housing in the stem. In a variant, the stem may be receivedin a housing provided in the core.

It is also possible for the stem and the applicator member to be mouldedor not to be moulded in one piece and from the same thermoplasticmaterial.

The applicator member may have a mounting end piece that is moulded inone piece with the core and may have, if appropriate, one or morenarrowed portions that improve the flexibility of the applicator and thesmoothness of application.

The core may extend along a longitudinal axis which, at at least onepoint along its length, forms an angle with the longitudinal axis of thestem to which the core is fixed. The applicator member may be angled atits attachment to the stem.

The stem may have a first, rigid portion that is extended on the distalside by a second, more flexible portion, for example made of elastomer,that carries the applicator member.

A largest transverse dimension of the core may be smaller than, largerthan or equal to a largest transverse dimension of the stem. The largesttransverse dimension of the core may be between 2 mm and 3 mm.

The visible length of the applicator member may be between 15 mm and 30mm.

Application Device

A further subject of the invention is a device for packaging andapplying a cosmetic, makeup or care, product to the eyelashes and/oreyebrows, having an applicator according to the invention and acontainer containing the product.

The gripping member of the applicator may form a cap for closing thecontainer.

The container may have a wiping member suitable for wiping the stem andthe applicator member.

The largest transverse dimension of the envelope surface of theapplicator member that is defined by the application elements of thebows is advantageously larger than the diameter of the circle inscribedin the wiping orifice. The bow deforms on passing the wiping member,while the applicator is being withdrawn from the container.

The product contained in the container is preferably a mascara.

Manufacturing Method

The two portions connected by the bow(s) may be moulded, only beingconnected together by the bow(s), and are then joined together followingrelative rotation of the portions with respect to one another about thelongitudinal axis of the core.

In one variant, the two portions are moulded together and thenseparated, in particular by cutting, and joined back together followingrelative rotation of the portions.

In a further variant, the two portions are overmoulded on a metal insertand the insert is deformed in torsion when the two portions are rotatedwith respect to one another.

In one variant, the core has two twisted metal arms that are able togrip bristles, in the same way as conventional mascara brushes referredto as twisted-core mascara brushes. Two portions made of thermoplasticmaterial are advantageously gripped by said arms following twisting, theends of the bow being attached to these portions.

The two portions may extend along one and the same rectilinearlongitudinal axis, or may form an angle after being joined together.

The features mentioned above for the applicator apply to the device andto the manufacturing method.

The invention may be better understood from reading the followingdetailed description of nonlimiting illustrative embodiments thereof andfrom examining the appended drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic elevation view, in partial longitudinal section,of an exemplary packaging and application device produced in accordancewith the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the applicator member from FIG. 1 onits own,

FIG. 3 is a front view of the applicator member from FIG. 2,

FIGS. 4A to 4C illustrate steps in the manufacture of an applicatormember according to the invention,

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate steps in the manufacture of a variantembodiment of an applicator member according to the invention,

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of an applicator member according tothe invention while it is being manufactured,

FIG. 7A shows a view in longitudinal section of a variant embodiment ofthe applicator member according to the invention,

FIG. 7B shows a detail of the applicator member from FIG. 7A, followingassembly,

FIGS. 8, 9 and 11 show variant embodiments of applicator membersaccording to the invention, before rotation of those portions of thecore to which the bows are attached,

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view on X-X in FIG. 9,

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of a variant embodiment of an applicatormember according to the invention, before rotation of those portions ofthe core to which the bows are attached.

FIG. 1 shows a packaging and application device 1 produced in accordancewith the invention, having an applicator 2 and an associated container 3containing a product P to be applied to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows,for example mascara or a care product.

The container 3 has, in the example in question, a threaded neck 4 andthe applicator 2 has a closure cap 5 designed to be fixed on the neck 4so as to close the container 3 in a sealed manner when it is not in use,the closure cap 5 also forming a gripping member for the applicator 2.

The applicator 2 has a stem 7 of longitudinal axis Y, which is attachedat its upper end to the closure cap 5 and at its lower end to anapplicator member 8. The latter has a core 10 that extends along alongitudinal axis X.

The container 3 also has a wiping member 6, for example inserted intothe neck 4.

This wiping member 6, which may be any wiping member, has, in theexample in question, a lip designed to wipe the stem 7 and theapplicator member 8 when the applicator 2 is withdrawn from thecontainer 3. The lip defines a wiping orifice 6 a having a diameteradapted to that of the stem.

In the example illustrated, the stem 7 has a circular cross section, butif the stem 7 has some other section, this does not depart from thescope of the present invention, it then being possible to fix the cap 5on the container 3 in some other way than by screwing, if necessary. Thewiping member 6 is adapted to the shape of the stem 7 and to that of theapplicator member 8, if appropriate.

Preferably, and as in the example in question, the longitudinal axis Yof the stem 7 is rectilinear and coincident with the longitudinal axisof the container 3 when the applicator 2 is in place thereon, but if thestem 7 is not rectilinear, forming for example an elbow, this does notdepart from the scope of the present invention.

If need be, the stem 7 may have an annular narrowing at its portion thatis positioned opposite the lip of the wiping member 6, so as not tomechanically stress the latter unduly during storage.

The applicator member 8 may be fixed to the stem 7 by any means, and inparticular by force-fitting, snap-fastening, adhesive bonding, welding,stapling or crimping, in a corresponding housing provided at the end ofthe stem 7.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the applicator member 8 may have an end piece9 for fixing it in a corresponding housing in the stem 7, optionally inan aligned manner. A shoulder may be provided between the core 10 andthe fixing end piece 9. The length l_(e) of the end piece 9 may bebetween 6 mm and 9 mm.

In a variant, the stem 7 may be inserted into a housing provided in thecore 10. The core 10 may also be produced in one piece with the stem 7by being moulded together therewith.

With reference to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the core 10 has a shapethat is elongate along the longitudinal axis X, which is rectilinear inthe example described.

As in the example in question, the core 10 may have a circular crosssection along the majority of its length. The longitudinal axis X may becentral, as illustrated. Other cross-sectional shapes are possible,however.

The length of the core may be between 15 mm and 30 mm.

The visible length H of the applicator member 8 may be between 15 mm and30 mm, and is around 23 mm in the example illustrated.

The stem 7, to which the applicator member 8 is fixed, may be at leastpartially, and in particular completely, flexible, in particular in thevicinity of the applicator member.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the applicator member 8 has a plurality ofbows 13 of which the ends are attached to the core 10 and which eachextend in a twist around the longitudinal axis X of the core 10.

The bows 13 carry application elements 18.

The core 10 may carry between two and ten bows 13, for example 9 bows inthe examples in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6, two bows in the examples in FIGS. 4Ato 4C, 7A and 7B, 9 and 11, and three bows 13 in the example in FIG. 8.In the variant shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the core 10 carries a singlebow 13.

The distance D between each bow 13 and the longitudinal axis of the core10 is variable along this axis and passes through a maximum, for examplehalfway between the ends for attaching the bows to the core.

The method for manufacturing an applicator 2 according to the inventionhas the steps in which two portions 14 and 15 of the core 10 that areconnected by bows 13, as shown in FIG. 4A, are moulded, and a rotationis imposed on one of the portions with respect to the other such thatthe bows 13 are deformed and each extend in a twist around thelongitudinal axis X, as shown in FIGS. 4B and 6.

The two portions 14 and 15 are then joined together following thisrelative rotation.

In the examples in FIGS. 4B, 5A or 6, the portion 15 has an end piece 22intended to be fixed in a complementary housing (not visible) formed inthe portion 14, for example by welding or by adhesive bonding. It ispossible for the end piece 22 and the complementary housing not to be inthe form of cylinders of revolution, the end piece 22 being intended tobe inserted into said complementary housing.

In the example in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the portion 14 has a projectingrelief 24 intended to be snap-fastened into a hollow relief 25 in theportion 15 in order to join together said portions by snap-fastening.

In the example in FIG. 8, the portion 14 is joined to the portion 15 bystapling.

The twist in the bows 13 results from an angular offset of angle α,about the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, between the ends 11 and 12for attaching the bows 13 to the core 10.

The angle α may be between 30° and 360°, being for example equal to 180°in the example in FIGS. 4A to 4C.

In the variant shown in FIG. 5B, the angular offset a is greater than orequal to 180°, for example greater than or equal to 360°.

In the examples illustrated, the direction of the twist in the bows 13is in the clockwise direction, starting from the distal attaching end 11to the proximal attaching end 12.

As can be seen in particular in FIG. 2, the distance D between the bows13 and the core 10 increases, starting from the distal attaching end 11,until it reaches a maximum D_(m) located, in the example in question,approximately halfway between the ends 11 and 12 for attaching the bows13 to the core 10, and then decreases again towards the proximalattaching end 12.

In the twisted configuration of the applicator member 8, the greatestdistance D_(m) between the bow 13 and the longitudinal axis X of thecore 10 may be between 1 mm and 5 mm.

As shown in FIG. 2, a set 20 of bows 13 may have distal ends 11 andproximal ends 12 for attaching to the core 10 that are axially offsetwith respect to those of another set 21 of bows 13.

The length L_(a) of the bow 13 in its rest configuration, shown in FIG.5A, is greater than the distance L_(p) between the ends 11 and 12 forattaching the bow 13 to the core 10, in the twisted configuration.

The ratio L_(a)/L_(p) may be between 1.5 and 3.

In the examples described, the largest cross section of each bow 13 issmaller than the smallest cross section of the core 10, being inparticular at least 2times smaller.

The largest cross section of each bow 13 may be between 0.5 mm² and 1.5mm². The largest cross section of the core 10 may be between 2 mm² and 9mm².

In the examples in FIGS. 1 to 4C and 6, the bows 13 have a crosssection, taken perpendicularly to the axis of the twist, having arectangular shape. In the example in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the bow 13 has acircular cross section.

In the examples described, the core 10 has a cross section, takenperpendicularly to its longitudinal axis X, having a circular shape.However, the invention is not limited to one particular shape of crosssection of the core and bow.

In the examples shown, the application elements 18 on the bows 13 eachextend from the latter along an elongation axis perpendicular to thesurface of the corresponding bow, at the point at which the applicationelement 18 is attached to the bow 13. In one variant which is not shown,the elongation axis of at least one application element 18 forms anangle other than 90° with the surface of the bow 13 at the point atwhich the application element is attached to the bow.

The height of the application elements 18 on a bow 13 may be constantalong the entire length of the bow and may be identical from one bow toanother. In a variant which is not shown, the height of the applicationelements 18 can vary within one bow and/or from one bow to another.

The height of the application elements 18 on the bows 13 is for examplebetween 1 mm and 3 mm.

The thickness e_(p) of the application elements 18, measured at theirbase, visible in FIG. 6, is for example between 0.5 mm and 2 mm.

The application elements 18 carried by the bows 13 may have variousshapes. In the examples in FIGS. 1 to 4C, 6 and 8, the applicationelements 18 have a pyramidal shape.

In the examples in FIGS. 5A, 5B and 9 to 11, the application elements 18have a tapered shape. However, the invention is not limited to aparticular shape of application elements 18.

A bow 13 may have between 10 and 50 application elements 18, for examplearound 20 application elements.

As shown in particular in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the core 10 may carryapplication elements 19 that extend therefrom in a number oflongitudinal rows 30, 31.

In the examples shown, the application elements 19 on the core 10 eachextend from the latter along an elongation axis perpendicular to thesurface of the core 10, at the point at which the application element 19is attached to the latter. In one variant which is not shown, theelongation axis of the application elements 19 forms an angle other than90° with the surface of the core 10 at the point at which theapplication elements are attached to the core.

In the examples in question, the height of the application elements 19is constant along the entire length of the core, within one longitudinalrow and from one row to another. In a variant which is not shown, theheight of the application elements 19 can vary within one row and/orfrom one row to another. The height of the application elements 19 isfor example between 1 mm and 3 mm.

The application elements 19 on the core 10 may have various shapes. Inthe examples in question, the application elements 19 have a taperedshape. However, the invention is not limited to a particular shape ofapplication elements 19 carried by the core 10.

The core 10 may have between 10 and 50 application elements 19, forexample around 15 application elements.

In the example in FIGS. 9 and 10, the core 10 has a metal insert 23which is overmoulded with a thermoplastic material in which a part 26 ofthe core 10 and the bows 13 is produced. The insert 23 is then subjectedto torsion in order to angularly offset the ends for attaching the bowsto the part 26 and to create the twist in the bows 13.

The cross section of the insert 23 is preferably non-circular, so as toimprove the anchoring thereof within the part 26 surrounding it.

In the variant shown in FIG. 11, the core 10 has two arms 27, 28 twistedfrom a U-shaped metal wire that grip bristles 19, in the same way asconventional mascara brushes referred to as twisted-core mascarabrushes.

As shown in FIG. 12, two portions 14, 15 made of thermoplastic materialare intended to be gripped by the arms 27 and 28 after they have beentwisted. The bows 13 are attached to these portions. The arms 27, 28keep the portions 14, 15 angularly offset with respect to one another soas to create the twists in the bows 13.

In the examples which have just been described, the portions 14 and 15of the core 10 extend along one and the same rectilinear axis. In avariant that is not shown, the two portions of the core 10 form anon-zero angle following assembly.

In order to mould the applicator member 8, use can be made of anythermoplastic material which is or is not relatively rigid, for exampleSEBS, a silicone, latex, a material having improved slip, butyl, EPDM, anitrile, a thermoplastic elastomer, a polyester elastomer, a polyamideelastomer, a polyethylene elastomer or a vinyl elastomer, a polyolefinsuch as PE or PP, PVC, EVA, PS, SEBS, SIS, PET, POM, PU, SAM, PA orPMMA. The hardnesses of these materials may be between 50 Shore and 90Shore. It is possible in particular to use the materials known under thetrade names Teflon®, Hytrel®, Cariflex®, Santoprene®, Pebax® andPollobas®, this list not being limiting.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodimentswhich have just been described, the characteristics of which may becombined with one another as parts of variants which are notillustrated.

The applicator member 8 may comprise any bactericidal agent such assilver salts, copper salts, preservatives and at least one preservativefor the product P.

The core 10 and/or the application elements 18 may furthermore compriseparticles, for example a filler, in particular a compound which ismagnetic, bacteriostatic or absorbs moisture, or else a compoundintended to produce roughness.

The expression “having a” should be understood as being synonymous with“having at least one”, and “between” is understood as including thelimits, unless specified to the contrary.

1. Applicator for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care, product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having an applicator member having: a core that extends along a longitudinal axis, and at least one bow of which the ends are attached to the core, said bow carrying application elements and extending in a twist around the longitudinal axis of the core, the distance between the bow and the longitudinal axis of the core, measured perpendicularly to the core, being variable along the core and passing through a maximum away from the ends for attaching the bow to the core.
 2. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the twist in the bow results from an angular offset, about the longitudinal axis of the core, between the ends for attaching the bow to the core.
 3. Applicator according to claim 2, wherein the angular offset is greater than or equal to 360°.
 4. Applicator according to claim 2, wherein the angular offset is between 30° and 360°.
 5. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the bow and the longitudinal axis of the core increases, from the distal end for attaching the bow to the core, until it reaches a maximum, and then decreases again towards the proximal end for attaching the bow to the core.
 6. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the greatest distance between the bow and the longitudinal axis of the core is between 1 mm and 5 mm.
 7. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the length of the bow is greater than the spacing between the ends for attaching the bow to the core, in the twisted configuration of the applicator member.
 8. Applicator according to claim 7, wherein the ratio is between 1.5 and
 3. 9. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the largest cross section of the bow is smaller than the smallest cross section of the core.
 10. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the core carries a plurality of bows.
 11. Applicator according to claim 10, wherein at least two bows each have proximal ends and distal ends for connecting to the core which are offset axially along the longitudinal axis of the core.
 12. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the core carries application elements that extend therefrom and are disposed in particular in a number of longitudinal rows.
 13. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the core has two portions to each of which one end of the bow is attached, the two portions being joined together by friction, snap-fastening, welding, adhesive bonding, stapling, stamping or insertion.
 14. Applicator according to claim 13, wherein one of the portions of the core has an end piece that is not in the form of a cylinder of revolution and is configured to be inserted into a complementary housing formed in the other portion.
 15. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the core has a metal insert, this insert being overmoulded with a thermoplastic material in which at least a part of the core that carries the bow and/or the bow is produced.
 16. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the core has two twisted metal arms that grip two portions made of thermoplastic material to which each end of the bow is respectively attached.
 17. Device for packaging and applying a cosmetic, makeup or care, product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having an applicator according to claim 1 and a container containing the product and having a wiping member.
 18. Method for manufacturing an applicator according to claim 1, wherein: two portions connected by at least one bow that carries application elements are moulded, and a rotation is imposed on one of the portions with respect to the other such that the bow extends in a twist around a longitudinal axis of the applicator.
 19. Manufacturing method according to claim 18, wherein the two portions are moulded, only being connected together by the bow, and are then joined together following relative rotation of the portions with respect to one another about the longitudinal axis.
 20. Manufacturing method according to claim 18, wherein the two portions are moulded together and then separated, and joined back together following relative rotation of the portions.
 21. Manufacturing method according to claim 18, wherein the two portions are overmoulded on a metal insert and the insert is deformed in torsion when the two portions are rotated with respect to one another.
 22. Manufacturing method according to claim 18, wherein the core has two twisted metal arms that grip two portions made of thermoplastic material to which each end of the bow is respectively attached. 